Riches of Mercy to Men in Misery, Illustration – Table of contents
IOHANNIS PRESTONI VIRI CLARISSIMI S. S. THEOLOGIAE DOCTORIS. EFFIGIES.
RICHES OF MERCY TO MEN IN MISERY. OR Certain Excellent Treatises concerning the Dignity and Duty of Gods Children.
By the late Reverend and Faithfull Minister of IESUS CHRIST, IOHN PRESTON. Doctor of Divinity and Chaplin in Ordinary to his Majesty, Master of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge and sometime Preacher of Lincolns Inne.
Psal. 34. 8. Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
LONDON, Printed by I. T. and are to be sold by Iohn Alen at the Rising Sun in Pauls Church Yard. 1658.
THE PREFACE.
KNow Christian Reader, that this Remainder of Doctor Prestons works was never (heretofore) extant, being the last of His, that are likely to see the light (taken by the same pen that his other works were and no way inferior to those already published. Dr. Sibbs of eminent memory (contemporary with Dr. Preston, and one of those to whom he committed the publishing of what should be thought fit for publick view) did in his life time own these Treatises by affixing his approbation to them. And the Attestation of such Reverend authority forbids any doubt concerning the Author, or worth of the work, though this Treatise may inherit Orphans usage, being not so exactly polished, as it would have been, had the Author lived.
But the filings of Gold, and the dust of Diamonds must not be made waste of: such advantages have accrucd to the souls of men by his other labors, that we could not think it any lesse then a wrong to the Church of Christ to conceal any thing that might make for it's spiritual benefit.
Perhaps thou wilt ask why this Piece was so long suppressed? To which I answer; the age hath doted so much about new lights, that we perceived Old Truths to be neglected and laid aside; but after men had filld themselves with their own devices, and found their souls thriven no more then if they had fed upon ashes, the vicious humor came to be abated, and their appetite was reduced to a better state, by the great Physician, who testified his dearest respect to mens souls, by the price he paid for restoring of them.
The intent of these Sermons is to promote the work of grace in the heart and life of a true Believer. Not onelyonly to enlarge the knowing faculty, but chiefly to improve the practical part, and distribute god liness through the whole man. The Rickets are not so epidemical in the bodies of Children, as in the soules of men and women whose heads are swollen with notions, while their feet are feeble in heavenly motion. The benefit of this work will better appear by thy serious perusal thereof, from which I shall no longer detain thee.
Farewel.
Doctor Sibbs his testimony of this Treatise.
This Treatise hath nothing offensive in it, but contains arguments tending to edification, and may be of singular use and comfort to all true Believers.
R. Sibbs.
THE CONTENTS Of the Sermons in this Book.
Ephes. 3. 16.
Doct. 1. That God is exceeding merciful. p. 1.
1. To move men to come unto him. 2.
2. It affords a ground of confidence to all distressed sinners. ibid.
3. All men are exhorted to look after a portion in his abundant mercy. ibid.
Quest. What to take his mercies in vain answered. 4.
Means to partake of Gods mercy. 6.
Two sorts of mercies to be hungred after. 7.
Gods mercy a motive to duty. 8.
Motives to this from the severall properties in a good Master which are all found in God. 20.
Comfort to the Church from the consideration of Gods mercy. 24.
Why God afflicts his children. 26.
Doct. 2. Gods mercy is his Glory, or God accounts it his glory to be merciful. 28.
USE.
1. Doubt not but your petitions shall be heard, for it is his glory to shew mercy 30.
2. Glorifie God in his mercy which is his glory. ibid.
Sermon 2.
D. 1. Inward strengthning should be the earnest desire of a Christian. 38.
Wherein this spiritual strength is seen 40.
USE.
1. Blaming them that seek not after this strength. 44.
Advantages of this spiritual strength. 49.
2. Exhorting all men to labour after spiritual strength. 60.
Several motives to labour after it. 61,. 62.
3. Directions for the attainment of spiritual strength. 67.
Several means 69.
Rules propounded. 72, &c.
Hinderances. 77. &c.
D. 2. Sanctifying grace proceeds from the sanctifying spirit. 82.
How the spirit strengthens grace in the soul. 83.
USE.
1. Without the holy Ghost, wee are without strengthening and sanctifying grace. 85.
Signs of having the spirit. 88.
2. Above all things to labor for the spirit. 106.
Benefits of having the spirit. 107.
D. 3. The spirit is freely given. 113.
USE.
Terrour to them which have not the spirit. 114.
Means to obtain the holy spirit. 115.
Ephes. 3. 17.
D. A great prerogative the saints have that Christ dwells in their hearts. 121.
What it is to have Christ dwell in our hearts. 122.
The benefits of Christs dwelling in our hearts. 125.
USE,
1. To judge aright of Gods working in your hearts. 135.
2. To saints, that they would rejoyce in this priviledge that Christ dwells in them. 139.
Rom. 8. 34.
D. Nothing can hinder the salvation of a believer. 145.
Reasons if it. 147.
USE.
1. To see a necessity of all those blessed means whereby Christ is pleased to communicate himself. 150.
2. Confutation of the Church of Rome as to their doctrine of doubting. 152.
Objections answered. 153.
3 Of examination about the certainty of our spiritual state. 160.
2 Tim. 2. 1.
D. 1. Grace hath a strengthening property. 183.
Reasons. 186, 187.
USE.
1 To examine whether we have grace. 189.
Strength of grace in three things. 192.
Grace enables to actions of new obedience. 200.
And to constancy in it. 201.
D. 2. All Grace received from Christ. 207.
Christs willingnesse to match with us. 208.
D. 3. Wee must not onelyonly get strength, but use it. 212.
USE.
To quicken us to our duties in the putting forth of our strength. 217.
Helps to exercise spiritual strength. 219.
Necessity of it. 223.
2 Tim. 3. 5.
D. 1. Godlinesse onelyonly accepted and required of God. 233.
Godlinesse, what. 235.
To exalt God. 237.
Reasons of the point. 238.
USE.
1. Not to content our selves with any thing that nature hath wrought in us. 242.
Application to the Sacrament. 246.
Godlinesse how wrought. 251.
2. Exalt God in your hearts. 253.
3 Labour to excell in Godlinesse. 256.
D. 2. Most men have but a form of godlinesse. 257
Reasons of it. ibid.
USE.
To examine whether we have onelyonly a form. 261.
Five differences between the power and form of godlinesse. 263.
2 Tim. 1. 13.
Doct. The words of a Minister must bee wholesome. 271.
Reasons of it. 273.
USE.
1. Two sorts of words are reproved 276.
2. The people must receive nothing but what is wholesome. 283.
3 We ought to esteem wholesome words as our food. 288.
4. What the behaviour of Ministers ought to bee. 296.
Rules for the use of humane authority. 305.
John 14. 1.
D. Our hearts should be established in the day of fear. 327.
Means to manage this duty. ibid.
Rom. 7. 23.
D. There is a Law of sin in every mans nature inclining him to that which is evil. 352.
What this inclination is. ibid.
How a Law. 353.
How it warreth as a Law. 354.
D. 2. In every regerate man there is a contrary Law, &c. 360.
Why called the law of the minde. 361.
USE.
To bewail our condition under this law in our members. 368.
How to know the law of natural conscence from the law of the minde in the regenerate. 370.
Philip. 2. 21.
D. Every man ought to seek the things of Jesus Christ. 371.
Reasons. 375.
How to know when we do the things of Christ faithfull. 388.
What it is to give our selves to Christ. 390.
2 Chron. 32. 24, 25.
D. Praier is the chief means to obtain any thing at Gods hand. 397.
USE.
To esteem that precious ordinance of prayer. 398
Mercies without prayer nor blessings. 399.
What kind of prayer obtains blessings. 400.
D. 2. Gods answer to our praiers is to bee observed. 402.
3. God ready to hear our prayers. 405.
4. The Lord tenders a weak faith. 406.
5. God expects thank fulnesse answerable to his mercies. 407.
Conditions of thank fulnesse. 408.
In what cases God expects extraordinary thanks. 411.
Rev. 22. 17.
D. God invites sinners to come unto him. 419
Reasons of it. 420.
Many Objections answered. 421, 422.
USES.
1. To take heed how we refuse Christ offered. 426
2. Faith a grace very pleasing and acceptable to God. 432.